Blue Whale Camp with marine biologist Sina Kreicker

We are pleased to offer you the Blue Whale Camp with marine biologist Sina Kreicker, presenting you the cetaceans of the Middle Atlantic in a unique way. We are one of the very few places in the world where you can see 8 whales and dolphin species in one day. There have been sightings of 28 different cetacean species, of which 20 are seen regularly here at Pico. The waters around the central group of the Azores has become a real hotspot for whale watching in the last 10 years. The Whale Watching trips of the Blue Whale Camp start in Madalena on Pico Island, from where we head to the feeding grounds of the baleen whales which are located in front of the island in a boat ride lasting less than 30 minutes. The travel dates listed have been chosen to provide you with the best chance to see the whales, such as blue whales, baleen whales and fin whales. Sperm whales are very common in these waters around the islands, as the females and their calves stay here all their lives. Your guide will be the marine biologist Sina Kreicker, who is currently doing her phd in the area on cetacean research. She will be able to answer all your questions and impress you with her endless knowledge about the marine mammals.

During the whale-watching trips you will often see turtles, sharks and even sunfishes. Dolphins are often accompanied by shearwater birds, which dive to a depth of 10 meters when hunting. Shearwater birds are called “cagarros” in Portuguese, and you will have the unforgettable experience of meeting these birds underwater, whilst snorkelling with dolphins.

One of the rare nesting places of Cory´s shearwater birds are located in the lava cracks on Pico Island. During an evening excursion, you will get the chance to visit these nesting caves, in which they often fly right over your head and impress you with their mating/courtship display. Additionally, you will meet the Azorean noctule, and endemic bat species.

Besides the unforgettable experiences of the whale and dolphin watching trips we offer interesting activities on land. You will be able to climb Mount Pico, which is 2,351 meters high and observe breath-taking views. You will also visit the longest lava cave in Europe and have unforgettable walks through the vineyards of Pico, which is UNESCO world heritage site.